Direction signaling device for vehicles



W. L. C. CHAMBERS DIRECTION rSIGIIALING DEVICE FOR VEHICLES Dec, 29, 1942.

Filed July 20, 1940 Patented Dec. 29, 1942 I' UNITED? STATE DIRECTION SIGNALING -DEvIc'FoIti VEHICLES .l

` Worthy VL. C. Chambers, Chicago, Ill., assignor' Leonidas D. Woodruff, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 2o, 1940, serial No. 346,487

3 Claims.

The invention relates to direction indicators for motor vehicles.

One object of the invention is to provide simple and eflicient means for signaling or indicating to other vehicles when a change in direction of travel is to be marde and which is adapted to automatically discontinue the signal at the end of a desired predetermined period so that theoperator is not required to, perform any manual operation to discontinue the signal when the turn has been made.

Other objects of the invention will appear'from the detailed description.

Y The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and which are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a device embodying Y the invention, the enclosing boxv being shown in section. Fig. 2 isk a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a rsection taken on line 3-.3

of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a plan view, the enclosing box beng shown in section. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of. one of the thermostatic switches. Fig. 6 isa diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical connections between the parts of the device.

The invention is exemplified in a device comprising a base 20 of insulating ,material which may be mounted on the instrument panel of the vehicle in any suitable position within convenient reach of the driver. A box 2| is secured to the base 20 and encloses the electromagnets and manually shiftable switch-means. A push-button r for controlling the device for signaling a righthand turn extends through the cover 2l. A similar button Z is provided for controlling the device for signaling a left-hand turn. These buttons are formed of insulating material. Button r is secured to the armature II of a solenoid magnet e and button Z is secured to an armature II'r of a similar solenoid magnet e'.4 The magnets have soft iron cores e2. They are respectively provided with coils I0, I0', and these are Wound around sleeves of insulating material. Each button and armature is normally pressed outwardly by a spring 22. Each button is provided with a ange 23 inside of box 2|. A disk b of conducting material, such as copper, is secured between the flange 23L on button r and a shoulder on armature II. A disk b1 is secured to button Z. These disks, when the buttons are pressed inwardly, are adapted to control the circuits for the actuation of the indicating lamps, respectively, as hereinafter described. A conductor strip a2 fixed to a post a3 is connected to a battery a and has terminals extended toeengage both of the disks b, blwhen the push-buttons are in normal position. A conductor strip c secured tothe base 20 has one of its terminals extended to'engage disk b when button l is in its normal position and its other terminal extended to engage disk b When button r is in its depressed position. A conductor strip g secured on the top of base 2D has one of its terminals extended to engage disk b when button r is rin its normal position and its other end extended lto engage disk b1 When button l is depressed. One end of the coil I6 of.r magnet e is connected toy a disk 214 which is provided With a contact-strip I2 Whichhas its terminal extended to be engaged by disk b when the latter is in its shifted or depressed position. The other end of coil I0 is electrically connected to a screw-post I4, the end of which is secured and passes through Vbase 20. Oneend'cf thecoil I0 of magnet e is connected to a disk 25.Which is provided with a contact strip I21 which is adapted to be engaged by the disk b when button l is in its shifted or depressed position. The other end of coil I6 is electrically connected to a screw-post I4', the upper end of which is secured in base 2t.

A thermostatic strip d has one of "its ends iixed and electrically connected to the post I4. The free end of strip d normally engages a contact-screw I6 which extends through and is adjustably secured in a panel 26 ofv insulating material, in spaced relation from the base 26 by posts I4, I4' which are secured in panel 26. Y A vthermostatic strip d has one of its ends fixed to screw-post I4', the upper end of which-is secured in base 20. The free end of strip d normally engages a contact-screw I6 which ex tends through, and is adjustably fixed in panel 26. Contact-screw I6 is electricallyV connected by conductor I9', (Fig. 5) to a pair ci ,electric signaling lamps which are located at the righthand side of the vehicle, one being usually mounted adjacent the front ci the vehicle and the other at the tail of thevehicle, these lamps being vconnected to ground, as at Il. Contactscrew I6 is connected bya ccnductcrIS to indicating lamps L, L', which are usually located adjacent the front and the tail of the vehicle' respectively and at the left-hand side ofthe vehicle and these lamps are connected to ground, as at Il.

A -coil I5 is wound aroundthermostatic strip l d foheating said strip. One end of coil I5 is n, connectedtoacontact `I3 which is fixed `to base 20 and has a terminal adapted to be engaged by disk bwhen button r is pressed into its shifted position for establishing a circuit through said coil. The other end of coil I is connected by a conductor I9 to screw-post I4'. A coil I5 is wound around, and is adapted to heat thermostatic strip d' and has one of its ends connected to a Contact strip I3' which is mounted on base and has its terminal extended to be engaged by disk b' when button l is pressed into its shifted position. The other end of coil I5 is connected by a conductor I 8 to screw-post I4.

The Wire of the coils I5, I5' is Wrapped aroundV strips of asbestos Z'I'which are folded around the edges of the thermostatic strips so that the portions of the coil between the strip will be spaced from the thermostatic strips to retard the heating of the latter and to expedite cooling when the current is cut off. These thermostatic strips are formed of suitable metal which will cause them to ilex when heated to separate their free ends from the contact-screws with which they are normally engaged and so that when cooled they will flex back into engagement with said contacts, as well understood in the art. The

ends of the heating coils around the thermostatic strips are respectively connected by flexible strips 99 to rigid strips 3i which are connected to the posts i4, I 4', respectively.

Each of the cores e2 of the solenoid magnets is provided with a screw 29 of non-magnetic' material which is adapted to hold the armature slightly spaced from the core c2 when the solenoid magnet is energized, to avoid excessive pull on the armature and permit free release of the buttons at the end of a signaling operation. Adjustinent of screw 29 varies the magnetic flux for rendering the core sensitive to Variations in the flow of current resulting from inoperativeness or a lamp.

Motor vehicles are usually equipped with a 6- volt battery and, by way of an example, the coils of the solenoid magnets e, e may be wound with about '75 turns of No. 19 double enameled wire. Each of the heating coils I5, i5' may consist of about 1l convolutions of .005" flat Nichrome wire having a resistance of 3.6 ohms per foot. These coils will r-esult in heating the thermostatic strips sufliciently to break the circuits at contact-screws I5, I5', respectively, at the end of a period of approximately l5 seconds. The signaling lamps usually require 6 amperes each for actuation. rhe resistance of coils d, d reduces the amperage of the current to say, 2 amperes so that the current passing to ground from said coils will be insuiilci-ent to actuate the lamps which are not signaling. In the event that a lamp is burned out or removed in the circuit established by the pressing of a button for a signal, the flow of current through coils I0, E9' is reduced so that the amperage of the current flowing through the coils will be insuiiicient to retain the armature of said magnet associated with that button in its shifted position and the switch-button will be returned to its normal position as an indication to the driver that the desired signal has not been given.

The buttons Z and r are normally pressed and held in their outer position by springs 2E", 22, respectively. When it is desired to indicate a right-hand turn, the operator will pressbutton .r against the force oi spring 22. rhat will establish the following circuit through front-and rear lamps R, R', viz.: battery a, post a3, conductorstrip a2, disk b' on button Z,A conductor-strip c,

disk b on button r, contact-strip I2, coil I 9 of magnet e, post I4, thermostatic strip cZ, contactscrew I6, conductor I9, lamps R, R' and ground at I1. Magnet e will be -energized and armature II will then be attracted and hold button r in its shifted position so that disk b will be held in engagement with conductor-strip c and contact I2 to keep this lamp circuit closed for a predetermined period. vSimultaneously a circuit will be established through coil I5 around thermostatic strip d as follows: battery a, post a3, conductor-strip a2, disk b', conductor-strip c, disk b, contact strip I3, coil I5 around strip d, conductor I8, post I4', thermostatic strip d', contactscrew I8', conductor I9', lamps L and L through ground at Il'. The resistance in the coil I5 around thermostatic strip d will reduce the amperage of the current through conductor I8 so that it will be insuihcient to actuate lamps L, L. The coil I5 around thermostatic strip d will slowly heat strip d until it has expanded and flexed sufficiently to move its free end out of contact with adjustable screw-contact I5. This will interrupt the circuit through coil I9 of magnet e. Thereupon spring 22 will restore button 1^ and disk b to their normal position and will disconnect disk b from contact-strips I2, I3 and conductor-strip c. As a result, the lamps R, R' Will be actuated for the desired predetermined period to indicate the turn contemplated and for a sufficient period to make the turn and Wiil then be automatically extinguished. By reason of the rapid cooling of the thermostatic strip d, when the current through the winding I5 is discontinued, said strip will quickly flex back into engagement with contact I5 for a succeeding operation.

When it is desired to signal a left-hand turn the operator will press button Z against the force of spring 22" whichwill establish the following circuit through front and rear lamps L, L', viz.: battery a, post a3, conductor-strip a2, disk b on button r, conductor-strip g, disk b' on button Z, contact-strip I2', coil IB' of magnet e', post I4', thermostatic strip d', contact-screw I5', conductor i9, lamps L, L' and-ground at I'I. Armature Il' will then be attracted andv held by the energization of coil I0' and hold button Z in its shifted position so that disk' b will be held in engagement with conductor-strip g and' contact-strips I2' and I3l to .keep this lamp circuit closed for a predetermined period. Simultaneously a circuit will be established through coil I' around thermostatic strip d' as followsr'battery a, post a3, conductor-strip a2, disk b, contact-strip g, disk b', contact-strip I3', coil I 5' around thermostatic strip d', conductor IB", post I4', thermostatic strip d, contact-screw I6, lamps R, R' to ground at 'I. The resistance of coil I5" around thermostatic strip d' will reduce the amperage of the current through conductor I 9'/ so that it will be insuflicient to actuate lampsA R, R'. As the flow of current through winding I5" generates heat the thermostatic strip d" will flexV away from contact-screw I5' and interrupt at-contact-,screw iS', the flow of current to lamps L, L" at the end of the desired predetermined period'and discontinue the signal for the left-hand turn. The circuit through the coil I9' of magnet e' will also be interrupted so that disk b' will be separated from conductor-strip y and cont-acts I2', I3'. Spring 22 will then shift buttonV IA to its normal position. As soon as strip d" becomes cool it will again engage contact-screw I'S' for a succeeding operation. l

In the event that one of either pair of indicator lamps should be burned out, the current drawn by the other lamp of the same pair and thus the current through the coil of the electromagnet to which it is connected will be reduced as compared with the current drawn when both lamps are in operation. Accordingly, the electromagnet will not have a sufficiently great force of attraction to retain the Contact disk associated therewith in its shifted position, and, as a result, the button to which the disk is attached will be returned to its normal position by the action of its associated spring and be an indication to the operator that the lamp is not actuated. Similarly, if both lamps of either pair are displaced or burned out, the button which has been operated to cause their actuation will not be held in its shifted position by the magnet.

hen it is desired to change an indication made, either on account of errorA or by reason of a necessitated change in the direction of the vehicle, it is only necessary to depress the button which has remained in its normal position for the corrected indication. This results from the interconnections between the disks b, b1, because the depressed disk receives current through the disk which has remained in its normal position. For example, while button 1' is depressed to indicate a right turn, the depression of button l will open the circuit from battery a to disk b at disk b1 and strip a2.

H to release button r. Disk b will then engage strip a2 for current from disk b and strip g to disk b1 for a left hand indication. By connecting the thermostatic heating coils in the manner described, the lamps which are not actuated reduce the flow of current through the heating coil for the circuit which controls the actuated lamps.

While the invention has been described in connection with the automatic termination of signals at the end of fifteen seconds, it will be understood that by adjustment of screws I6, or proper variations in the construction of heating coil and thermostatic strips, the duration of the signals may be varied to maintain them for` longer or shorter periods.

The invention exemplies direction-signaling apparatus which is simple in construction and whereby the signals will be automatically disconnected at the end of predetermined periods.

Iclaim:

l. In a self interrupting direction signaling system for vehicles, the combination with signal This will cause the magnet |0,'

by the conductor on a button when it is in shifted position and connected to one electro- `magnet, a conductor between one magnet and one signaling lamp, and a thermostatic switch for interrupting the circuit between the magnet and a lamp, and circuits for shifting the thermostatic switches, each'comprising -a contact engageable with a conductor on one button which has been shifted from its normal position.

`2. In a self interrupting direction signaling system for vehicles, the combination vwith signal lamps for indicating different directions of travel, a pair of manually shiftable buttons, spring means for holding the buttons in their normal positions, electromagnets for respectively holding the buttons in their manually7 shifted position, each electromagnet comprising a coil and an armature fixed to and slidable with one of the buttons, disks onv the buttons, respectively, and a source of current, of a conductor strip connected to the source of current and for engaging both disks on 'the' buttons when they are in their normal position, 'circuits for controlling the actuation of the lamps, each'ofsad circuits comprising a conductor between the disk on one button when the latter is in its normal position and the disk on the other button when the latter is in its shifted position, a Switch contact engageable by the disk on a button when it is in its shifted position and connected to one electromagnetl a conductor between one magnet and a signaling lamp, and a thermostatic switch for interrupting the circuit between the magnet and a lamp, and circuits for shifting thethermostatic switches, each comprising a contact engageable with a disk on a button which has been vshifted from its normal position. v

3. In a self interrupting direction signaling system for vehicles, the combination with signal lamps for indicating different directions of travel,

Va pair of manually shiftable buttons, spring means for holding the buttons in their normal positions, electromagnets for respectively holding the buttons in'their manually Ashifted position,

conductors on the buttons, respectively, and a source of current, of avconductor strip connected I to the source of current and for engaging both lamps for indicating different directions of travel, v

apair of manually shiftable buttons, spring means L for holding the buttons in their normal positions, electromagnets for respectively holding the buttons in their manually shifted position, conductors on the buttons, respectively, and a source of current, of a conductor strip connected to the source of current and for engaging both conductors on the buttons when they are in their normal position, circuits for controlling the actuation of the lamps, each of said circuits comprising a conductor between the conductor on one button when the latter is in its normal position and the conductor on the other button when the latter is in its shifted position, a switch contact engageable conductors on the buttonswhen they are in their norma1 position, circuits for controlling the actuation of the lamps, each of said circuits comprising a conductor ybetween the conductor on one button when the latter is in its normal position and the conductor on the other button when the latter is in its shifted position, a switch contact engageable by the conductor on a button when it is in its shiftedposition and connected to ,one electromagnet, a conductor between one magnet and one signaling lamp, and a thermostatic switch for interrupting the circuit between the magnet and a lamp, and circuits for shifting the thermostatic switches, each comprising a contact engageable with a conductor on one button which has been shifted from its norma1 position, the electromagnet being connected in series with the respective lamps and being responsive to the amperage now whenl the lamps are actuated, and non-responsive to ysubstantially less amperage. WOR'II-IY L. C. CHAMBERS. 

